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Ohio Troopers File Grievance Over Boots

August 12, 2013
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Photo via OSTA/Facebook.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers' union has filed a grievance with the agency to halt the adoption of a new chukka-style duty boot for patrol troopers that the union says creates an unsafe working condition.

The Ohio State Troopers Association (OTSA) hopes to halt the planned Nov. 1 roll-out of the boot. The union says the buckle-and-strap boot known as a buckle chukka would replace a leather athletic-style lace-up chukka favored by troopers, reports the Columbus Dispatch.

An agency spokeswoman said discussions will continue with the patrol union before an arbitrator hears the grievance.

"It's management's right to determine the equipment troopers will wear while on duty," Lt. Ann Ralston told the Columbus Dispatch. "At the same time, we would never compromise officer safety."

The association has been posting photos and a video of the boot on its Facebook page, arguing "how easy it is to step out of the shoe." A Monday post with a photo called the footwear inappropriate for road troopers.

"Our trooper (two actually) sent this in with the note that they by the time they arrive at post from their homes, the buckle chukka has disengaged the tongue of the shoe," the post read. "The point is obvious and 'officer safety' drives the need to change the current policy that requires wearing this shoe for road patrol."

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Comments (14)

Displaying 1 - 14 of 14

Phil @ 8/12/2013 12:29 PM

Quoting a line from "End of Watch", "Police work is all about comfortable foot ware." I can understand management wanting a certain color or general styles but they should not require one type of boot. Everybody's feet are different and comfort, flexibility, slip resistance and most of all depending on where you are working water resistance and breathable are important. I have been wearing Hi-Tec boots for 20+ years now and the Dept would have to take me to court to have me change to some ugly boot like OHP is wanting their guys to wear.

bman @ 8/12/2013 3:01 PM

I like Magnums higher end boots. They are good but their cheaper ones are crap. Im currently wearing Addidas GSG-9.2 boots for their athletic and water resistant qualities. Good but the sole is a little too soft. Next pair of boots I will try will probably be Oakleys. These OHP boots look like crap and appear as if they will perform like crap. Sole doesnt look like it is either comfortable or made for athletic performance and they don't look like they offer any ankle support. Losing your footing in a foot chase or a fight with our extra weight is dangerous enough for our ankles and knees.

Capt. Crunch @ 8/12/2013 4:10 PM

The boot to me looks more like a dress shoe then a work boot. It just don't look right.

george @ 8/12/2013 5:50 PM

Mandatory or not, the ugliest chuka I have ever seen!

Chuck @ 8/12/2013 6:00 PM

Wow, I'd be embarassed to wear those ridicoulous little booties.

WTF, did someone consult a french fashion designer on this GENIUS idea?

Mike @ 8/12/2013 6:42 PM

Yet another field decision made by desk sitters. A buckle type shoe for patrol, as Chuck said "WTF".

I KNOW!! It's missing the tassels! You know, like those cute little ones that the fashionable PR folks wear. What a joke.

eodk9trainer @ 8/13/2013 2:31 AM

Wow, just wow. Another goofy decision made by someone sitting in the puzzle palace. Someone not on the street doing the actual work. God forbid they should ask the actual ones working the street what they might like to wear.

I did my basic training at the OSHP academy right next to the cadet troopers in 1980... the buckle chukka is nothing new, as it was 'de rigueur' for all of the troops, from cadet up to the Colonel. I don't ever recall seeing the loose tongue syndrome like this photograph, so call me cynical but that looks just a little bit staged, as if to prove a point with a pair of shoes that were probably de-commissioned a decade ago. Perhaps it is just one more sign of the times, but I remember that uniform has a definition beyond something one wears, and the OSHP was extremely 'uniform', as they once wore their dress blouses all winter. There used to be a story that lefties once had to wear their holsters on the right; they would draw with the right and then change to their left hand when they were on target. Since their uniform is still pretty much a 'dress' style with the stripe, they may be able to find something that straddles that line between function and form.

Ima Leprechaun @ 8/13/2013 7:11 PM

Sadly, OSHP Officers don't have a lot to say about their uniforms. They can be written up for failing to wear their campaign hats while driving or should they need to jump out of their car no matter how strong the wind is blowing they must wear that hat and use at least one hand to hold it on or face disciplinary action. Chukka boots don't work out well in Ohio's deep snow or during any type of rain. The old black leather paratrooper boots from back in the day are much better suited to the Ohio Climate and certainly look at lot sharper.

Chief John @ 8/14/2013 6:00 AM

OSHP has a patent protection on thier uniform and all that matters is they look good and win awards for thier uniforms. Having close friends that are Troopers, they all wish they could wear the Rocky or Bates boots we wear at the Sheriffs Department. The shoes they wear are not sufficient in wet or winter weather. But you are talking about a Department that wore a dress blouse for a winter coat until a short time ago. This organization also refuses to permit other small departments to pick up gently used uniforms from them to save budgets and OSHP shreads them to maintain thier self inflated ego. Goverment waste at it's best.

EES @ 4/10/2014 7:10 PM

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has always been known to display the image of professional law enforcement. Many departments wish they could come up to the standards of a trooper in both dress and physical ability. The patrol demands their officers to be fit, both mentally and physically. I was in the city of Cincinnati when the riots broke out. The situation was out of control, and when the Chief called the OSHP in for help, the rioters respected the troopers since they did not come in and beat heads like we were ordered to do, and the riots broke up and it was all over in about 1 hour, without and shots fired. thanks to the help of the Ohio State Patrol. We highly respect them.

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